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The Winnipeg Blue Bombers return to the practice field this morning to prepare for the biggest game of their season.

The 41st annual Labour Day Classic, featuring the Bombers and Saskatchewan Roughriders, goes Sunday afternoon at Mosaic Stadium in Regina.

While it's only Week 10, the annual Prairie grudge match hasn't looked this enticing -- or been more important -- in a long time.

The Bombers lead the East Division at 5-2-1 (one point up on the Montreal Alouettes), while the Roughriders are on top of the West at 6-2 (one point ahead of the B.C. Lions).

'A HUGE GAME'

Since the Als and Lions meet on Friday night in Vancouver, either the Bombers or Roughriders will find themselves in second place in their division at kickoff on Sunday -- barring a tie between the Als and Lions, of course.

"It's always a huge game," Bombers defensive tackle Doug Brown said. "And now ... I've never played a Labour Day game before when we were both doing so well in our respective divisions. Now it's for first place in the CFL overall.

"It's a great game for the fans. It's huge for the CFL, having that matchup. And two Prairie teams. Wow! We'll both bring our combines and stuff, and show down in Regina. It's going to be nice."

The Roughriders yesterday unveiled a retro jersey, which they will wear against the Bombers on Sunday.

FORE! CFL commissioner Mark Cohon shared a cart with Bombers head coach Doug Berry yesterday during the Blue and Gold's annual golf tournament at Larters at St. Andrews Golf and Country Club.

Cohon was asked how good Berry was with a golf club in his hands.

"He's a pretty good football coach," Cohon said with a smile.

Berry has always said golf isn't his game, although he did launch a rather nice drive off the 10th tee.

"It's about as good as it always is every five years," Berry said of his game.

Only every five years?

"Just to remind myself how much I hate this game," he quipped.

The tournament, which features Bomber players and coaches captaining scramble teams, serves as a fundraiser for the community-owned club.

RING THOSE PHONES: Brendan Taman's office and cell phones have been ringing off the hook for the last 48 hours. It's no coincidence that NFL teams have started cutting players.

"This whole week will be a nightmare that way," Taman said. "It's hard enough to keep up with the names, let alone the phone calls."

NFL teams must trim their rosters to 75 players today and then to 53 by Saturday.

Taman will be keeping a close eye on Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Bryan Randall, who isn't expected to make it past today's deadline.

BAGGING STEVIE: Free-agent DE Stevie Baggs will be in Winnipeg today and might end up on the Bombers' practice roster.

"He's en route," Taman said yesterday. "We'll discuss his future upon his arrival. ... There will not be a roster activation at this point for him. It would be practice roster -- possibly."

ONE SACK

The Bombers tried to put Baggs on their practice roster at the end of training camp this year, but the Edmonton Eskimos offered him a contract and he accepted.

Baggs, who played sparingly for the Blue and Gold last season, had one sack in seven games with the Eskimos before getting released last week.

"We never wanted to lose him in the first place, but he had a better opportunity to go to Edmonton," Taman said.

LATE HITS: Taman said DB Anthony Malbrough will likely be out a month after suffering a high ankle sprain against Toronto on Friday ... PK Troy Westwood reported yesterday that his hamstring injury is 90% healed. He hopes to be back for the Banjo Bowl clash with the Roughriders in Winnipeg on Sept. 9 ... The Bombers practise today at 1:30 p.m.